GrabCar, Uber to Continue Operations despite TRO

Transportation Network Companies (TNC’s) GrabCar and Uber announced that it is business as usual for them amid reports that a Quezon City Regional Trial Court has issued a 20-day temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) from processing TNC applications.

Image courtesy of James Deakin.

According to a statement issued by GrabCar , they have not received a copy of the said TRO. Until they are officially notified by the court they shall continue to operate as usual. They also assured the public that they shall comply with government regulations.

Uber for its part also issued a similar statement and pledged that they shall coordinate with the LTFRB to resolve the issue. It added that it was not a party to the court proceedings so they have yet to clarify the issue with the other involved parties and the LTFRB.

In the meantime, Uber like GrabCar shall continue their TNC operations.

In the meantime, Judge Santiago Arenas of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court branch 217 explained that the TRO that was issued covers only future applications for vehicles intending to become Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS). The court order does not in any way suspend transport operations of TNC’s like GrabCar and Uber.

The order bars the LTFRB from “accepting, processing, and approving of motor applications of motor vehicles as public utility vehicles accredited and belonging to TNVS and under the command and operation of TNC for a period of twenty (20) days effective from the date of receipt hereof,” based on a copy of the said TRO.

News about the TRO immediately drew a flurry of reaction from netizens who posted their comments on social media.

LTFRB Chairman Atty. Winston Ginez announced that they shall implement the suspension once his office receives a copy of the court order.